OK…so it’s been a while (and by “while” I mean “year”)…  Sorry about that…

In my efforts at reform, I thought that in addition to trying to offer installments of the perhaps-one-day-a-book, I’d post some of my answers to theological questions people send.

The other day I received the following:

Why is it in the Old Testament, the commandment reads:  ”You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deut. 6:5, NRSV), but the New Testament quotes Jesus using “heart, soul, strength, and mind” (Luke 10:27, cf., Matt. 22:37, Mark 12:30).  I understand that one was written in Hebrew and the other in Greek.  Does that account for the whole difference?  ”Might” would seem to indicate “whole-hearted effort,” while mind seems to indicate a more philosophical response.  Is there more to the story?

I think this is a great question, particularly because – as you know – I think love stands at the heart of Christian discipleship.  If we wish to grow to maturity, it will come by means of loving God as scripture describes.

If you want to hear some sermons I preached on the subject, click here and look for the sermons dates (Aug. 22-Sept. 12, 2010).  But here is how I replied to the e-mail:

The short answer is that what the OT is trying to say (and Jesus is agreeing with) is that we should love God with the fullness of ourselves.

Unlike the Greeks (and many today), the ancient Hebrews did not think of humans as a collection of parts (bodies, minds, souls…) but as persons – as integrated wholes.  It was the Greek philosophers who first began to carve people up into pieces. For them the metaphysics of what distinguished one thing from another was key to Continue reading

I’m never a better friend than I am at 2AM.

I’m not terrible during daylight hours.  Coffee at mid-day is great, but we’ll be keeping an eye on the clock, as we both have someplace else we need to be.  At 6:30, I’m both hungry and a bit exhausted.  We’ll talk over dinner, and I’ll be genuinely interested.  I’d also like my food to arrive.  We probably have to be up for work in the morning.

Not too infrequently come the conversations that begin later in the evening, standing in the parking lot after a meeting, or over the remnants of dessert when the rest of the crowd has gone.  At 10:30 I want to banter with my inner circle.  “Remember the time…?”  “Could you believe…?!?” “…knights who say, ‘Ni’…”  Did I mention I have Ghostbusters committed to memory?  Wanna hear it again?

But every so often the conversation goes past midnight.  It’s never planned – a serendipitous moment.  Clearly I like you.  And I’m too tired for banter, but I wouldn’t miss the chance to really talk.  I’m entirely interested to know what’s on your mind.  And if I’m here with you this late, it’s how you know I’ll tell you the unadulterated truth about what’s going on in mine.

At 2AM I really listen.  Whatever thoughts I have, they’re yours – to do with as you please.  I won’t try to persuade you.  I won’t force a debate.  I promise you won’t get the party line.  Here is my humble $.02 on life, the universe and everything. Continue reading